Helmet Law

Helmets are neither required nor worn by cyclists in Japan and have only recently started to become available through cycling retailers.

Helmet law:
To some not insignificant extent the mandatory wearing of helmets has acted to dissuade a large number of would be cyclists from riding their bikes.
Local Government could make recommendations to Central Government to rescind or relax this law and to make the wearing of helmets discretionary on the user.

http://www.magma.ca/~ocbc/fatalsnz.html

http://www.cosc.canterbury.ac.nz/nigel.perry/cycling2001CurseOrCure150.pdf

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/study-guides/cycles.html